ACC: Dwayne Maddox
ACC team position rankings: Linebackers
Michael Tureski/Icon SMILuke Kuechly leads a deep group of Boston College linebackers.2. Florida State: The Noles had to replace two starters, including Kendall Smith, the team’s second-leading tackler, last season, and Mister Alexander, but the upcoming talent could be even better. Nigel Bradham led the team with 98 tackles and five pass breakups last season, and Christian Jones, Jeff Luc, Telvin Smith and Vince Williams will also be competing for playing time.
3. Miami: Sean Spence, who has 30 career starts, should be one of the best in the country, and Ramon Buchanon, another senior, also returns. The Canes have five other linebackers with experience in Kelvin Cain, who started seven games, Jordan Futch, who had a great spring and will see the field, Tyrone Cornelius, Shayon Green and C.J. Holton.
4. North Carolina: Kevin Reddick, who led the Tar Heels with 74 tackles last season, returns for his third season as starter. Zach Brown is also a returning starter with game-changing capabilities, and there is plenty of depth with Dion Guy, Darius Lipford, Ebele Okakpu and Herman Davidson. Junior college transfer Fabby Desir could also have an impact.
5. NC State: Audie Cole and Terrell Manning have combined for 39 career starts, and Cole fared well this spring moving to the middle to replace Nate Irving. With the return of Sterling Lucas, Dwayne Maddox and Colby Jackson, there is plenty of experience, but not quite as much depth as some other programs.
6. Georgia Tech: The Jackets return both starters in Steven Sylvester and Julian Burnett. There is no shortage of depth with Jeremy Attaochu, Quayshawn Nealey, Brandon Watts, Albert Rocker, Malcolm Munroe and Daniel Drummond.
7. Clemson: This group has a lot of potential, especially if true freshmen Tony Steward and Stephone Anthony make an immediate impact. There’s no question they’ll be given a chance, but the Tigers already have a good group with Corico Hawkins, Quandon Christian and Jonathan Willard.
8. Virginia Tech: It seems like this rotation has been in flux for a while now. The Hokies’ leading tackler returns in Bruce Taylor, Barquell Rivers had 96 tackles as a starter in 2009 but was injured last season, and there are several young players adding to the competition. Chase Williams, Tariq Edwards, Telvion Clark and Jack Tyler are only a few. Whip linebacker Jeron Gouveia-Winslow will have to earn his spot back over Alonzo Tweedy, Dominique Patterson and Nick Dew.
9. Maryland: The Terps were hit hard here with the losses of Alex Wujciak (381 career tackles) and Adrian Moten (14.5 career sacks). Demetrius Hartsfield returns with 20 career starts, and there are four lettermen returning including Darin Drakeford, Isaiah Ross, David Mackall and Bradley Johnson.
10. Wake Forest: Kyle Wilber’s move to outside linebacker will give this position a boost, as he led the Deacs with 14.5 tackles for loss and six sacks last season. His backup is Gelo Orange (22 tackles). The Deacs also have Tristan Dorty, Joey Ehrmann, Mike Olsen, Scott Betros, Riley Haynes and Justin Jackson.
11. Virginia: Starters LaRoy Reynolds and Ausar Walcott both return, but neither has started more than 11 career games. Junior Steve Greer has prior starting experience but played mainly as a reserve last season. Adam Taliaferro, Conner McCartin, Tucker Windle and LoVante Battle are also in the mix for playing time.
12. Duke: Kelby Brown is the lone returning starter, but he’s a promising young player who led the nation last season as a freshman in fumbles recovered. He missed spring ball while recovering from a knee injury, but is expected to start with Tyree Glover or Kevin Rojas.
2009 overall record: 5-7
2009 conference record: 2-6
Returning starters
Offense: 7; Defense 5; Punter/Kicker 1
Top returners
QB Russell Wilson, WR Owen Spencer, OT Jake Vermiglio, LB Nate Irving, PK Josh Czajkowski, TE George Bryan, WR Jarvis Williams, LB Dwayne Maddox, LB Audie Cole
Key losses
C Ted Larsen, HB Toney Baker, DE Willie Young, DT Alan Michael Cash, CB DeAndre Morgan, LB Ray Michel
2009 statistical leaders (* returners)
Rushing: Baker (773 yards)
Passing: Wilson* (3,027 yds)
Receiving: Ja. Williams* (547 yds)
Tackles: Cole* (73)
Sacks: Young (8)
Interceptions: C. Johnson (2)
Spring answers
1. Wilson will be back, but Mike Glennon is a capable starter. Starter Russell Wilson missed all of spring football to play baseball, but his season didn’t quite take the turn he had probably hoped, as Wilson wasn’t a starter. In his absence, Glennon impressed coach Tom O’Brien and completed 21 of 38 passes for 423 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in the Pack’s spring game. As long as Wilson picks up where he left off in 2009, it should be his job to lose.
2. Irving is back and can play. After missing last season with injuries he sustained in a serious 2009 summer car accident, it was unclear how much Irving would be able to contribute this spring. He moved to middle linebacker and eased his way back into full participation and played in half of the spring game.
3. Defensive linemen emerging. Even though all four starters from last year’s defensive line graduated, there was enough talent there this spring for optimism. Darryl Cato-Bishop, David Akinniyi, and Brian Slay impressed the staff. Their success is critical, as both J.R. Sweezy and Markus Kuhn are facing disciplinary action.
Fall questions
1. Who will run the ball? For the first time since 2005, NC State doesn’t have a running back with any starting experience. Brandon Barnes broke his ankle, and the competition is now between Curtis Underwood, who redshirted last year, and James Washington, who played in six games as a true freshman last year.
2. Punter, please. Nobody on the team has ever punted in a game situation. Chris Ward was the likely top option , but he was suspended for the spring and possibly the fall.
3. How much can the defense improve? With Irving back and former Georgia Tech defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta coaching the linebackers, it would seem as if the defense would get a boost. It’s going to have to if the Pack is going to make it to the postseason. NC State was No. 99 in the country last year in scoring defense, and No. 106 in pass efficiency defense. The secondary is lead by freshmen and sophomores.
I think I actually have them all this week ...
BOSTON COLLEGE
Questionable
DE Alex Albright (ankle)
Doubtful
OT Rich Lapham (shoulder)
LB Mike McLaughlin (leg)
Out
WR Ifeanyi Momah (knee)
RB Rolandan Finch (illness)
CLEMSON
Out for Season
J.K. Jay, OT, back
Probable
Scotty Cooper, LB, Concussion
Doubtful
Michael Palmer, TE, Concussion
Out
Kantrell Brown, S, Concussion
DUKE
RB Re'quan Boyette (knee) -- Questionable
CB Lee Butler (leg) -- Doubtful
LB Abraham Kromah (leg) -- OUT
WR Tyree Watkins (leg) -- OUT
RB Kyle Griswould (leg) -- OUT FOR SEASON
S Anthony Young-Wiseman (knee) -- OUT FOR SEASON
FLORIDA STATE
Out for the season
44 LB Maurice Harris (neck)
81 TE Caz Piurowski (knee)
Out
28 CB Dionte Allen (thumb)
76 OT Garrett Faircloth (hip)
70 OT Antwane Greenlee (knee)
51 LB Aaron Gresham (knee)
97 DT Demonte McAllister (knee)
74 OT John Prior (knee)
72 DT Budd Thacker (knee)
11 LB Vince Williams (back)
Questionable
27 CB Xavier Rhodes (thumb)
21 CB Patrick Robinson (ankle)
Probable
9 WR Richard Goodman (groin)
26 RV Korey Mangum (shoulder)
94 DT Justin Mincey (knee)
36 LB Dekoda Watson (groin)
GEORGIA TECH
Out
Kevin Cone, r-Jr., WR (ankle)
Robert Hall, r-Jr., DE (knee)
Cooper Taylor, So., S (undisclosed)
Questionable
Julian Burnett, Fr., LB (knee)
Out For Season
Kyle Jackson, r-So., LB (foot)
MIAMI
Probable
OL Joel Figueroa – Upper Extremity
K Matt Bosher - Illness
Out
DB Ray-Ray Armstrong – Lower Extremity
FB Patrick Hill – Lower Extremity
RB Javarris James – Lower Extremity
DL Eric Moncur – Lower Extremity
DB JoJo Nicolas – Lower Extremity
LB Sean Spence – Lower Extremity
Surgery and Out for the Season
DL Dyron Dye – Lower Extremity
DL Marcus Forston – Lower Extremity
LB Jordan Futch – Lower Extremity
TE Richard Gordon – Upper Extremity
LB Shayon Green – Lower Extremity
DE Gavin Hardin – Upper Extremity
DB Ryan Hill – Upper Extremity
DE Adewale Ojomo – Jaw
NC STATE
OUT FOR SEASON
Mario Carter, TE - knee
Ryan Cheek, LB - hip
Denzelle Good, OL - shoulder
Nate Irving, LB - leg
Colby Jackson, FB - knee
Everett Proctor, QB – shoulder
Jeff Rieskamp, DE – sports hernia
Rashard Smith, CB - knee
Javon Walker, S – knee
James Washington, HB - knee
OUT
T.J. Graham, WR/RET – leg
Ray Michel, LB - ankle
Jesse Riley, DB - knee
Dwayne Maddox will start at middle linebacker in place of Michel; Clem Johnson, Jamelle Eugene and Donald Bowens will return punts/kicks.
VIRGINIA
Out
Aaron Clark (knee)
Matt Conrath (ankle)
Probable
Oday Aboushi (knee)
Landon Bradey (knee)
Darren Childs (leg)
Nate Collins (leg)
Cam Johnson (knee)
Corey Mosley (shoulder)
Brandon Woods (shoulder)
WAKE FOREST
Out for Season
WR Terence Davis (knee)
Questionable
DE Kyle Wilber
O'Brien opens camp looking for three best linebackers
Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich
GREENSBORO, N.C. -- As NC State begins summer camp at 5:05 p.m. ET today, coach Tom O'Brien is in search of his three best linebackers without Nate Irving, and on the surface, he appears to have them -- Audie Cole, Ray Michel and Dwayne Maddox.
At least that's how the first team will line up.
Cole was recruited as a high school quarterback, but the coaching staff was looking at him as a safety or linebacker. Cole, who redshirted at linebacker in 2007, had to learn the position from scratch and played well on special teams last year. As the season went on, he learned more but was limited to just 38 snaps all season. This year should prove to be different.
Cole moved to the field linebacker spot this past spring and made such rapid progress that he entered fall camp as the starting strongside linebacker.
"This spring, as we started the spring, he stood out," O'Brien said. "At that time we started with Maddox in the field and him in the boundary, and after a scrimmage or so, he looked like he was the third-best linebacker on the football team. We put him out there to the field, he did a heck of a job out there. He's a big kid -- 6-[foot]-4, 230-some pounds, and he can run very well. Hopefully if he can come through, that would really be a great thing for our football team."
Irving, probably the best player on the entire roster, suffered a collapsed lung that came as the result of a puncture by a broken rib, and a compound fracture in his leg from a one-car wreck in June.
With Irving out indefinitely, Maddox will have the first shot at the weakside linebacker position. Maddox, a true sophomore, played a lot last year when Irving was hurt, but was inconsistent and finished with 32 tackles. He was the only true freshman on defense to start a game last year, and had four starts.
"When Nate came back, and he came back in and spelled Nate, he played much better," O'Brien said. "Obviously he's another kid that learned from his experience. He did well in the spring and it looked like he was much more comfortable. He's got to help out there, and where we go from there, if he can't do it, we've got to look probably to Michel, or [Sterling] Lucas in the middle. You've got to find a way to get your three-best players on the field and then go from there. We have some decisions to make, but we'd like to stay where we are and hope that Dwayne can play the position for us."
Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich
Since NC State is one of the schools that reports first this weekend, let's start in Raleigh.
- Without linebacker Nate Irving in the lineup, "This becomes Dwayne Maddox's time," says defensive coordinator Mike Archer. No doubt expectations are a little higher for the Pack this year. NC State is playing UNC in the final week of the season and Tom O'Brien thinks it's dumb. Ha.
- And don't forget about Georgia Tech. Tech is one of four FBS schools to begin preseason practice on Monday. Only Troy, which begins practice today, starts earlier than the Yellow Jackets. And they aim to confuse everyone this fall -- again.
- Things are going as well as they can for BC linebacker Mark Herzlich.
- Miami's offensive line is set with Matt Pipho on the right side -- or is it?
- FSU welcomed back Deion Sanders on Wednesday. Ah, the glory days.
- The folks at the Chick-fil-A Bowl are hoping UNC-LSU is the next great kickoff to the season. Meanwhile, Maryland is adding bad boy Rhode Island to the schedule.
- Why even play this season? Virginia Tech has already been crowned the winner.
Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich
This would be an entirely different list if the top two linebackers in the league -- Mark Herzlich and Nate Irving -- weren't sidelined right now. There are still a lot of standout linebackers in the conference, but this season just won't be the same without those two guys, not that Irving's return has been completely ruled out yet. Having spoken with NC State defensive coordinator Mike Archer Wednesday, though, it's simply a miracle that Irving is even alive. In looking at the rest of the conference, it's tough to find teams that are deep at this position. It's a question mark for a lot of teams, and there's a lot of inexperience.
Here's a shot at ranking the best linebacking corps in the ACC:
1. Miami -- Sean Spence was one of the hardest hitters in the conference as a true freshman and will only be better this year, but the key to this group will probably be the return of a healthy Colin McCarthy, who injured his shoulder in the first half of the season last year. Darryl Sharpton, Arthur Brown and Jordan Futch still have something to prove.
2. North Carolina -- Quan Sturdivant and Bruce Carter started every game last year, and there are high expectations for sophomore Zach Brown. Sturdivant led the nation with 87 solo tackles last year and ranked third in the ACC in total tackles per game. This is one of the deepest groups the Tar Heels have had recently, but they are lacking some experience.
3. Virginia Tech -- Cam Martin and Cody Grimm combined to play all but nine plays at the whip linebacker spot, but they've got to replace Purnell Sturdivant and Brett Warren. Barquell Rivers proved he's up to the task when he filled in in the Orange Bowl, and Jake Johnson will have an increased role, too. There's a lot of potential in this group.
4. Clemson -- The Tigers return two starters plus a third player with starting experience. Kavell Connor started all 13 games last year and was the team's top tackler with 125. Brandon Maye had an impressive season as a redshirt freshman, and finished with 87 tackles. Scotty Cooper was a part-time starter at strongside linebacker.
5. Georgia Tech -- Even with Kyle Jackson possibly out for the whole summer with an injured right foot, the Yellow Jackets till have plenty of depth with Sedric Griffin, Brad Jefferson, Anthony Barnes and Steven Sylvester. Barnes and Jefferson are both finally healthy after injury-plagued seasons and there should be good competition for starting jobs. This group can't afford anymore injuries though.
6. Florida State -- With the graduation of Derek Nicholson and Toddrick Verdell, the Noles lose their top two tacklers. Dekoda Watson will be back from elbow surgery this spring, but it's a young group counting on sophomores like Nigel Bradham and Nigel Carr. Junior Kendall Smith is the only other upperclassman on the two-deep roster.
7. Maryland -- Alex Wujciak could be a star at this position for the Terps, and he'll definitely need to be a leader there this fall. Maryland lost four linebackers who combined to play 144 games and 54 starts. Adrian Moten is one of the few experienced faces in the group, and he earned his first start last year in the Humanitarian Bowl.
8. Duke -- The Blue Devils have to replace the ACC's leading tackler in Michael Tauiliili, but they've still got Vincent Rey, who made 109 tackles last year. The problem is, Rey is the only experienced linebacker they've got. Competition remains among Damian Thornton, Abraham Kromah, and Adam Banks.
9. NC State -- It's not clear when Nate Irving will return, but for as long as he's out, the Wolfpack will be missing their best player on both sides of the ball. The Pack still have senior Ray Michel, who is a returning starter in the middle, and Dwayne Maddox started in place of Irving when he was out last year. But this is an entirely different group -- and defense -- without Irving.
10. Boston College -- The Eagles' linebacking corps took a huge hit when Mark Herzlich was diagnosed with cancer, and they still don't know when Mike McLaughlin will be cleared to play from a torn Achilles. BC has a reputation for its defense, so odds are this group will be OK, but there are too many unknowns right now.
11. Wake Forest -- All three starters from last year are gone, and the Demon Deacons have big shoes to fill after the departure of Butkus Award winner Aaron Curry. It's going to have to be a group effort, but there's still some athleticism and depth to work with. Matt Woodlief and Hunter Haynes are the most experienced players retuning.
12. Virginia -- The Cavaliers graduated the veteran group of Jon Copper, Clint Sintim and Antonio Appleby, and because they were so good, their backups didn't see much playing time. This group is the feature in Al Groh's 3-4 defense, and it's going to have a whole new look. There were good reports about Steve Greer this spring, and Groh said Greer tried to mimic his game after Copper, which is reason for hope.
NC State already familiar to life without Irving
Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich
When NC State's coaches first saw the pictures of linebacker Nate Irving's car following his recent accident, the general consensus was it's a blessing he's even alive.
 | |
| Sean Meyers/Icon SMI | |
| It's unclear how much of a contribution linebacker Nate Irving will be able to make this season. |
Now that Irving is out of the hospital, and coaches are on vacation this week, the initial shock of it has been somewhat absorbed. When they get back, though, they'll have to do what they've grown all too accustomed to doing -- move on.
Irving's return hasn't been determined, but considering the severity of the one-car accident -- a fractured leg and a collapsed lung -- it would be hard to imagine he'll be back anytime soon. If it were up to Irving, he'd have been back on the field by now. He's hungry for the NFL, and returned for his redshirt junior season to better prepare himself for it. Irving was having a great summer and buying into the workouts, and poised for a breakout season.
But he might not have that chance now.
Irving would be tough to replace because he's more than just a hard hitter. He's also got a nose for the ball, and set a record for interceptions by a linebacker with four. He's got that God-given ability, which is something you can't just replace.
The good news for the Pack is that Irving's backup in 2008, Dwayne Maddox, played 308 snaps last year when Irving was injured. Irving injured his leg against East Carolina and then missed the next two games. He hurt his ankle just 16 snaps into the Florida State game and missed the following weekend at Maryland.
Maddox was the only true freshman to start on defense last year, and he did so four times. He didn't play in four of the last five games of the season when Irving was healthy and moved to strongside linebacker this spring. Terrell Manning, Sterling Lucas and Audi Cole will help give the position some depth. Without Irving, the linebackers will look a lot younger.
Possibly more of a concern is the experience in the secondary. With the transfer of Dominique Ellis, who could have been a potential starter at the boundary corner, the depth took a hit. If Javon Walker, who missed his second spring after sitting out 2008 with a knee injury, comes back strong at safety and they move Justin Byers around, it might help. The staff feels good about the talent, but experience remains a question.
The best-case scenario would probably be for Irving to make a comeback at some point in the season. If not, Maddox will have to take over, which he has proven capable of. Unfortunately for NC State, they've already had to handle this situation.
Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich
Listening to Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson praise backup quarterback Jaybo Shaw this week, and in talking to NC State coach Tom O'Brien about the success of his third string tight end, it got me thinking.
There have been a lot of backups making differences in the ACC this season. Some, like Virginia Tech's Darren Evans, have simply stolen the spotlight from the starter. Others, like the Hokies' Tyrod Taylor, have stolen the starting job. And many have gotten their opportunity at the unfortunate expense of an injured -- or suspended -- teammate.
Here's a look at the ACC's best backups through the first four weeks:
Boston College: True freshman running back Montel Harris wasn't even on the two-deep when the season started, but after filling in for injured starter Josh Haden (ankle), Harris is the Eagles' leading rusher with 133 yards in two games.
Clemson: Freshman defensive tackle Brandon Thompson was supposed to redshirt, but couldn't after the news Rashaad Jackson would be out for 10 weeks and Jamie Cumbie was lost for the season after the first game. Thompson leads Clemson in tackles for loss with four, and his playing time will only increase.
Duke: Running back Clifford Harris assumed the starting role after a preseason knee injury to Re'quan Boyette. He has rushed 49 times for 203 yards (4.1 YPC) and three touchdowns. He leads Duke and is sixth in the ACC with 67.7 yards per game.
FSU: Linebacker Kenny Ingram filled in for Dekoda Watson while he was suspended and recorded seven tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, three pass break-ups and had a forced fumble and recovered one. He also batted down a Riley Skinner pass on fourth and one from the FSU 10 which was one of two Skinner passes he batted down in last week's game.
Georgia Tech: In the absence of starting quarterback Josh Nesbitt, Jaybo Shaw has completed 6 of 10 passes for no interceptions, 91 yards and a touchdown in the two games he played in. He also rushed 18 times for 112 yards and two touchdowns.
- Tyler Melton, a true freshman wide receiver, stepped in for injured Correy Earls (hamstring) before the season opener and is the Yellow Jackets' second-leading receiver (five catches, 53 yards), and primary punt returner.
- Sedric Griffin, a junior linebacker, made his first career start at Boston College after two starting linebackers (Brad Jefferson, Anthony Barnes) went down in the season opener. Paul Johnson recently called Griffin their "most consistent linebacker" and he is the third leading tackler with 25 tackles and one tackle for loss.
Maryland: Running back Morgan Green took over for the ACC's injured leading rusher, Da'Rel Scott, and scored two touchdowns last weekend against Eastern Michigan.
- Quarterback Chris Turner started the season as second string behind Jordan Steffy, but inherited the offense after Steffy injured his thumb. Since throwing three interceptions in a loss to Middle Tennessee, Turner has completed 71.4 percent of his passes for 368 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions.
Miami: Senior running back Derron Thomas. He's filled in the role that Graig Cooper had when Cooper was 1b to Javarris James. Thomas has 19 carries for 87 yards and a touchdown, and a 34-yard run against Texas A&M. He's got 121 all-purpose yards in three games.
UNC -- Robert Quinn, a true freshman, started the past two weeks after defensive end Darrius Massenburg went down with a knee injury. Quinn has six tackles, three tackles for losses, one sack and two pressures.
NCSU -- Tight end George Bryan. He was the only option after injuries to Anthony Hill and Matt Kushner. Now he leads the team in catches (13), is third in yards (127) and tied for first with two touchdowns.
Virginia Tech: Darren Evans, the Hokies' No. 2 tailback, leads the team with 264 yards and four touchdowns.
- Tyrod Taylor -- He's a work in progress, as he hasn't thrown a touchdown yet, but there's no question his playmaking abilities have helped the offense. He's second on the team in rushing with 221 yards and leads with 73.7 yards per game.
UNSUNG HERO
Wake Forest: Ryan McManus, a fourth-year walk-on and the holder for PATs and field goals gets the unsung hero award so far. He saw the play clock running down as the Demon Deacons were lining up for the game-winning field goal against Ole Miss and very alertly called time out. The third-string quarterback does whatever he can to get on the field, including helping out on the punt and punt-return teams. His father was a starting quarterback at Wake Forest in the 1970s and is now an assistant coach at Kent State.
NEXT MAN UP
Here are the three most notable opportunities for players to join the list:
UVA: Quarterback Marc Verica. He was a respectable 22 for 30 (1 INT) for 158 yards in the loss to UConn, but now it's officially his offense. Let's see what he can do now that he's had time to prepare as the starter.
UNC: Quarterbacks Cam Sexton and Mike Paulus. Both are expected to play at Miami this weekend, and will have to carry the offense in the absence of T.J. Yates, who is out for six weeks.
NCSU: Freshman Dwayne Maddox is taking over at weakside linebacker for Nate Irving, the Wolfpack's top playma
ker on defense.
Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich
Clemson -- The Tigers are expecting ACC leading rusher Da'Rel Scott to play, which will force defensive coordinator Vic Koenning to load more players at the line of scrimmage. That, of course, will open up the play-action passing game. Koenning is looking for some sacks to come from his ends in this game, as South Carolina State's tackles blocked them one-on-one last weekend and the sacks came from the interior linemen and the linebackers.
Maryland -- Backup quarterback Josh Portis is doing the best he can to put the team ahead of his frustration over a lack of significant playing time. Expect some wrinkles in the Terps' offense this week, but it's unclear if Portis will play more of a role in it. "I'm still waiting to help the team out a little more with my talents, but I'm a team guy and the bottom line is you got to win," he said. "Obviously I'm a little frustrated with what's going on, but I'm here for the team. ... I'm just rolling with the punches."
Duke -- Virginia's switch at quarterback from Peter Lalich to Marc Verica has caused a small tweak in the coaching staff's preparation. Not only isn't there a lot of film of Verica, who started his first game and saw his first significant playing time in this year's loss to UConn, but he's also a different quarterback than Lalich, which means the Cavaliers could switch up their offense. So David Cutcliffe and his staff have watched more 2007 film, thinking that Verica's mobility and athleticism is more similar to former starter Jameel Sewell.
Florida State -- Playmaker Preston Parker has been working more at receiver this week and less at tailback, and that's probably how he'll be used against Colorado. That could open an opportunity for freshman running back Jermaine Thomas, who played well in the first two games, but watched the Wake Forest game from the sidelines. The running game should also get a boost from the blocking of tight end Caz Piurowski, one of the formerly suspended players.
NC State -- Defensive coordinator Mike Archer is tasked with simplifying things for freshman Dwayne Maddox, who is taking over for injured starting weakside linebacker Nate Irving, while at the same time stopping South Florida quarterback Matt Grothe. Archer is familiar with the Bulls from his time at Kentucky and said this will be the best offensive line the Wolfpack will have faced. He also said there is a misconception Grothe just throws it, and that he is a tough quarterback who gets hit, gets back up and scrambles. The good news is that after watching practice film, NC State coach Tom O'Brien told Archer that Maddox is "practicing like a starter now."
Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich
The news that both quarterback Russell Wilson and linebacker Nate Irving will miss Saturday's game against South Florida with injuries is devastating for the Wolfpack -- not just from an Xs and Os perspective, but perhaps even moreso from a morale standpoint.
NC State coach Tom O'Brien did not specify the injuries, other than Irving sustained a lower leg injury in the Wolfpack's upset of East Carolina last weekend. Freshman Dwayne Maddox, who took over for Irving against ECU, will start on Saturday. Harrison Beck will start in place of Wilson.
These are the top playmakers on both sides of the ball. Wilson was just named the offensive back of the week, and deservedly so. All three of his touchdown passes tied the game. He took such an important step in assuming leadership of an offense in desperate need of it.
And Irving has been a hard-hitting, interception-grabbing beast on defense.
Beck is the third starting quarterback in five games. That now makes 11 starters or key contributors who have missed at least one game this year.
NC State deserves a break, and not the kind it has been getting.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Heather Dinich
Dinich covered ACC and Big Ten football for five seasons before joining ESPN.com in November 2007. She's an Indiana grad but somehow her favorite day of the week is Saturday.
